About
An annual with an upright, branching habit, growing up to 50cm tall. It has green, lance-shaped leaves, finely serrated up to 6cm long and arranged in opposite pairs along smooth stems. From July to October, it produces small, greenish, petal-less flowers, with male flowers in clusters and female flowers appearing singly or in small groups.
About the genus
Mercurialis is a genus containing species of varied habit, from compact perennials to larger woody plants. Members are valued in horticulture for their flowers, foliage, or overall form and are found in diverse habitats worldwide
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Native toEurope to W Asia
ToxicityPets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationThrives in disturbed soils in gardens, farmland, roadsides, and waste ground, as well as urban areas, woodland edges, hedgerows, and some coastal regions
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationSelf-seeds freely
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free